Roundtable at BUT supports key collaboration for future of STEM studies

The success of last year's roundtable, focused on supporting technical and scientific education, was followed by another meeting at the end of November at Brno University of Technology (BUT). The discussion, introduced by the Prime Minister and Minister of Education of the Czech Republic, revolved around specific measures implemented to support STEM studies over the past year, as well as an analysis of the needs and expectations of students, employers, and academia. The debate also focused on the new Czech Economic Strategy and recent reports from the European Commission, including the Mario Draghi report, which emphasize the importance of investments in education and technological research.

Attendees included representatives of the government, technical and scientific universities, industry representatives, and other organizations and institutions supporting STEM studies as part of their activities.

“Key investments in areas like nuclear energy or chips lie ahead of us. Quality education is therefore indispensable. If we manage to continue focusing on strategic priorities, invest in infrastructure, support high-value production, and streamline public administration, our country will undergo significant transformation, which will be one of the prerequisites for faster wage growth,” said Prime Minister Petr Fiala during his speech, emphasizing the importance of symbiosis between universities, businesses, regions, cities, and other institutions. The new Czech Economic Strategy is also intended to help in this regard. “A month ago, we approved the new Czech Economic Strategy, which outlines how we can advance in four key areas: human capital, strategic infrastructure, high-value industrialization, and strategic investments,” the Prime Minister clarified, adding that one of the strategy's goals is to increase the share of graduates in STEM fields, which include natural sciences, technical and engineering disciplines, and mathematics.

Achieving this goal requires changes in the Czech educational system. “When we were developing the strategic plan for our university three years ago, we prioritized technical education. The lack of graduates in technical fields and the industry's demand for a qualified workforce already indicated the urgent need for changes in national educational policy. Subsequent global events only amplified this urgency. Initially, it was the challenges associated with environmental sustainability, followed by issues of energy security and the necessity to address strategic technologies such as chips, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. Valuable feedback on the situation was provided by the Mario Draghi report, issued by the European Commission in September 2024, which offered a stark view of the EU's competitiveness compared to the USA and China and highlighted the need for serious reflection,” recalled Ladislav Janíček, Rector of BUT, and added: “It is evident that without a functioning industry, which is traditionally a key source of GDP in the Czech Republic, we cannot ensure future prosperity, economic stability, and the desired standard of living for our citizens.”

Since taking office in 2022, BUT leadership has implemented several important strategic steps to increase the prestige and interest in STEM fields: Initiation of a national discussion that culminated in October 2023 with a roundtable on STEM education with the participation of representatives from public administration, industry, and academia. Development of a new concept for the BUT Industrial Council, including discussions with industry partners about BUT study programs and the desired profile of graduates. Collaboration on a STEM project with the South Moravian Region, the City of Brno, high-tech companies, and other Brno universities. University discussions about BUT study programs, addressing concerns about mathematics, physics, or chemistry, and adapting the content, structure, and teaching methods of technical studies to this situation, without compromising quality but through suitable structuring and providing support. Development of new study programs reflecting current market demands in areas such as semiconductor technologies, e-mobility, or nuclear energy, and preparation of a new type of MSc. education for professionals. Promotion of STEM education during celebrations of BUT’s 125th Anniversary.

Interest in STEM fields in the South Moravian region

The situation not only in the Czech Republic but across Europe shows that economic development depends on stable interest in technical and scientific education. One of the surveys presented at the meeting highlighted the current state of interest in STEM fields among primary and secondary school students in the South Moravian Region. “The data from South Moravia is clear. 63% of primary school pupils are not interested in STEM fields. Among secondary school students, the figure is even 70%, and if we view it through the lens of gender, the disinterest among female secondary school students is as high as 80%. Given that STEM professions carry significant added and strategic value, this is not good news for the region or the Czech Republic. However, if we view these figures as potential to work with, then bad news turns into an opportunity. And this is exactly the spirit of the roundtable discussion. The willingness to make a change is strong, and the diversity and strength of the involved partners are enormous. It won’t be easy, but I believe that when we compare the 2029 data with this year’s, there will be reason for celebration. For the STEM project in the South Moravian Region, which we oversee, I can promise that we will do everything within our power,” said Tomáš Mejzlík, Managing Director of FabLab Brno, which coordinates the STEM project with significant support from the South Moravian Region and the Statutory City of Brno.

“Technical disciplines are our future, and their support must become a clear state priority. In the region, we realized this over a year ago, which is why we are already taking joint steps with universities and companies to increase interest in technical fields. The South Moravian Region has the greatest potential for these fields, so we cannot afford to wait,” said Governor Grolich during his contribution.

Industry representatives welcome joint activities

Industry representatives unanimously agree that they are ready to assist. Radek Václavík, Director of New Product Development at onsemi, evaluated that the presented data are relentless and confirm students' lack of interest in technical fields. "This trend needs to change, and I was pleased with the presentations from all participants, where more concrete proposals and actions are gradually emerging. Even a small step can lead to significant changes, as I was able to demonstrate on behalf of onsemi with an example of cooperation with BUT. From 'let's organize a lecture together' to a big step for the Czech Republic into the high-tech area of chip development and production with the creation of the national semiconductor strategy of the Czech Republic," added Director Václavík.

"There are meetings that influence the next few quarters or the next few years, and then there are meetings that affect not only these quarters but many decades and perhaps many generations. I am extremely pleased that after a year, BUT managed to organize this meeting, where nearly forty representatives of universities, business, and government institutions discussed critical matters that will influence the success of our economy in the coming decades and possibly longer. We are talking about how to capture talented young people and ignite a spark in them for studying technical and scientific fields, which will subsequently contribute to the Czech Republic's shift towards a knowledge-based economy and the development of high-tech industries with high added value. At this meeting, we already had data from extensive surveys, based on which we will be able to develop a strategy and tactical steps in the desired direction," assessed the discussion participation Petr Střelec, Director of Thermo Fisher Scientific, which is among the university's key strategic partners.

Milan Šlapák, President of the American Chamber of Commerce, stated that for the Czech open economy, which relies on industrial exports and necessarily needs to switch to an economy based on innovations and technologies bringing high added value, a sufficient number of quality STEM graduates is essential. "At AmCham, we are pleased with the cooperation with BUT, which, under the leadership of Rector Janíček and in close contact with the South Moravian Region, is a driving force for change. In a situation where only 15% of students choose a mathematics graduation exam, the dropout rate at technical universities exceeds 40%, and more than 70% of high school students fear technology like the devil fears the cross, concrete actions are a necessity. The meeting at BUT after a year showed the first results and outlined a plan for the next year," added Šlapák.

According to Honeywell representative Tomáš Szaszi, the discussions, suggestions, and survey results were more than beneficial. "The key is to continue implementing the agreed steps in close cooperation between academia, industry, and other supporting organizations within our ecosystem," said Szaszi.

Event evaluation and thanks from the Rector of BUT

"After a year, we met again at BUT in almost the same composition to present survey results, progress in understanding the needs, preferences, and expectations of applicants for STEM studies, as well as graduates and employers, and to create the basis for adjustments to our study programs and for formulating appropriate educational policies and finding mechanisms for their financing at the Ministry of Education level. The meeting was a demonstration of the consensus of all participants – top representatives of industry, government, and technical and scientific universities, which resonated with the priorities of the adopted national Economic Strategy of the Czech Republic. And we will continue in this. This means strengthening the connection and cooperation with industry as a strategic alliance on which we build our development and jointly show young people the perspectives and endless opportunities to realize their dreams in the world of technology," said the Rector of BUT in his closing speech and added thanks:

"I would like to thank all participants for the stimulating discussion and consensus at this round table, which I believe will be a good foundation for effective support of STEM education in the Czech Republic. Thanks also go to the directors of secondary schools with whom we communicate and try to find common grounds to support interest in demanding but fascinating technological studies."

Conclusions from the round table and planned steps in supporting STEM education

The outputs from the round table and the discussed survey results will be further provided to the state administration and representatives of the public and private sectors.

The presentation of the STEM project survey has already taken place for members of the BUT Rector's Board. In mid-January, a workshop with project partners will follow to set further steps.

Members of the BUT Industrial Council will address the survey results, which the university commissioned among employers of BUT graduates, at their first meeting in 2025.

BUT currently chairs the European university EULiST, where, together with partners, it proposes joint measures to support technical education also in an international context.

After organizing a meeting of the CESAER working group this May, the university will organize the CESAER Annual Meeting, the most important event within this international network of leading technical universities, in October 2025. "I am very pleased that we managed to succeed with the application and we have the opportunity to organize this significant event. We expect the participation of 150 representatives of European technical universities, among whom the topic of supporting STEM studies resonates as key," added the Rector of BUT in conclusion.

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Author	Ing. Anna Kruljacová, M.Sc.
Published	2024-12-18 18:53
Link	https://www.vut.cz/en//f19528/d275240